Super Bowl 2013: Four key matchups that could decide the game

Football is ultimately a team game and individual matchups
aren't the rule on every play. Pass-coverage duties and blocking assignments
are determined by offensive formations and defensive calls. But when San
Francisco clashes with Baltimore in Super Bowl XLVII, here are a few pairings
likely to occur with regularity and that will likely have an impact on the
outcome.

Ravens LT Bryant
McKinnie vs. Smith Inc.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) celebrates during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco outside linebacker Aldon Smith is healthy.
Defensive end Justin Smith, not so much. Justin suffered a torn triceps muscle against
New England in the third-to-last game of the season and missed the final two
regular-season games. He played vs. Green Bay and Atlanta but Aldon hasn't had
a sack since the injury. He led the NFL in that department with 19.5.

McKinnie is the tackle on that side, who will knock heads
with both Smiths.

He has enjoyed a resurgence at age 33 since coming off the
bench in time for the playoffs. That has allowed Baltimore to move Michael Oher
to his natural position on the right side.

The more effective Justin is, the better Aldon's chances are
of getting to quarterback Joe Flacco and disrupting the Baltimore offense.
Former LSU Tiger Ricky Jean-Francois will spell Justin Smith if he can't go and
that will work in the Ravens' favor.

If Justin Smith is healthy, he will tie up McKinnie, who
doesn't have the quickness to handle Aldon Smith play after play. The Ravens
may try to run right at that side and try to get physical with both players.

Ravens WR Anquan
Boldin vs. San Francisco CB Tarell Brown

This matchup appears to favor the Ravens. Boldin is 6-feet-1
and 220 pounds and few NFL receivers use their strength and size as well as he does. Boldin is averaging 17.3 yards per catch on his 16 playoff receptions and
has three touchdowns. That will be a huge factor considering how much the 49ers
like to play man-to-man defense.

But don't sell Brown (5-10, 193) short. He insists size
doesn't matter, aggressive play does, no matter how big the receiver. Once the
San Francisco secondary got their communication issues settled, they shut the
Falcons out in the second half against big and fast Julio Jones and Roddy
White.

The 49ers figure if Brown and others can hold their
coverages just long enough, the pass rush will take care of the rest. But when Flacco
sees this matchup he's going to smile.

As good as the Ravens' defense is, it's a bad matchup for
the read option, which Kaepernick has executed well. Suggs and Kruger are not
speed merchants and will have to give ground when they see the play coming.

Kaepernick only ran the ball twice against Atlanta, once on
a scramble, but that was because the Falcons saw him gouge the Packers for 181
yards on keepers the week before.

Atlanta outside linebackers played their responsibilities
and the 49ers scored three touchdowns on read option handoffs. The Ravens will
have to pick their poison.

Because of injuries, Suggs isn't the player he once was. He and Kruger may have to gamble at times to keep Frank Gore and LaMichael James from popping out for big gainers. They will
also struggle when trying to corral Kaepernick on the pass rush. This
is a chance for San Francisco to exploit a talented and veteran, but not
exceptionally fast, linebacker crew.

49ers tight end
Vernon Davis vs. Ravens' safety Ed Reed

Reed is one of the best safeties in the history of the NFL
and has seen his share of good tight ends. He's 10th all time in the NFL with
61 interceptions. Even on the backside of his career, he has the smarts to make
up for what he's lost through 11 years and a torn labrum, which has hampered him this season.

But Davis with his size and speed is a load for any safety,
cornerback or linebacker for that matter. It appeared the Falcons couldn't get
within 5 yards of him as he caught five balls for 106 yards and a touchdown.
He's the guy Colin Kaepernick will look for when the 49ers get into the red
zone.

At times, the Ravens linebackers will have Davis in zone coverage
but he and Reed will lock horns down the middle of the field on seam routes in
what should be some epic confrontations.